The Camden — Restaurant in London

hosted a St. Patrick's Night event for 160 people at The Camden, and while I wish I could leave a glowing review, my overall experience left me extremely disappointed.

Leading up to the event, the owner and management were very accommodating. They went the extra mile by ordering Guinness (which they didn’t usually stock), working with us to negotiate more reasonable drink prices, and even securing a last-minute DJ. For that, I was genuinely appreciative. However, the way things unfolded on the day of the event was unacceptable.

Less than 24 hours before the event, I received a call from the venue’s manager asking if I would allow 100 additional guests into our private function from midnight. I made it very clear that this was not an option, as my guests had paid for a private event, and allowing strangers in would not only be unfair but could also leave me liable if anything were to happen. The next morning—the day of the event—the owner, Tony, called me again, trying to persuade me to change my mind. He even offered to cover the DJ’s cost if I agreed. I once again explained that it was a firm no for the same reasons.

Despite this, during the event, the manager approached one of my team members and informed them that the venue would be opening to the public at 11 PM. Naturally, I was outraged. When I confronted him, he pulled me and two of my team into the back office, where he tried to twist the contract terms, claiming we were only booked until 11 PM, despite Tony previously extending the hours until 3 AM. He argued that since they had been accommodating to us, we now needed to be accommodating to them—completely disregarding the fact that we had a signed agreement. The discussion was heated, but I stood my ground and made it clear that if 100 uninvited guests walked through that door, there would be consequences. Thankfully, the group scheduled to arrive saw our event in full swing and chose not to proceed. Later, the bar manager falsely claimed he had canceled their arrival, even though I had already spoken to the group and knew the truth.

Before the night ended, I was then told I had to pay £250 for a hand dryer that had supposedly come off the wall in one of the bathrooms. This was a non-profit event where all proceeds went back into making the night a success, so I explained that I simply didn’t have an extra £250 to hand over for something I had no proof of. The bar manager dismissed my concerns, stating that they "usually take deposits" for situations like this, to which I responded that I would have happily paid one had Tony ever mentioned it. He simply laughed and dropped the subject.

To make matters worse, I later found out that guests were being overcharged at the bar, with drink prices fluctuating throughout the night for the exact same orders. When I requested merchant receipts to verify the transactions, they claimed they were unable to provide them.

It’s truly disappointing that after such a promising start, the venue’s management completely let us down on the night. What could have been a fantastic experience was tainted by dishonesty, greed, and a complete lack of professionalism.

Would I recommend The Camden for private events?...

On July 12, 2024, The Camden played host to an unforgettable red carpet event that marked the launch of a promising new artist. The venue, known for its exquisite charm and state-of-the-art facilities, provided the perfect backdrop for a night filled with glamour, excitement, and entertainment.

From the moment guests arrived, it was clear that this was no ordinary event. The red carpet was impeccably laid out, setting the tone for an evening of high elegance. The staff at The Camden were exceptionally welcoming, greeting each guest with warmth and professionalism. Their attention to detail and commitment to ensuring a seamless experience was evident throughout the night, as they skillfully managed every aspect of the event.

Security was another highlight of the evening. The team was both vigilant and unobtrusive, maintaining a tight yet discreet presence that allowed guests to enjoy the festivities with complete peace of mind. Their professionalism ensured that the event proceeded without a hitch, allowing attendees to focus on celebrating the artist's launch.

Inside the venue, guests were treated to a visual and auditory feast. The decor was nothing short of immaculate, with every element thoughtfully designed to create a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere. The Camden's sound system delivered an exceptional auditory experience, enhancing the performances and speeches with crystal-clear sound that captivated the audience.

Overall, the event was a resounding success. The combination of The Camden's fantastic facilities, the staff's friendliness and professionalism, and the meticulous attention to security made for an extraordinary evening that will be remembered by all who attended. The launch party not only celebrated the debut of a new artist but also set a high standard for future events at this...

My friend booked this venue for her birthday well in advance via design my night. Drinks packages and food orders were discussed, a table area was booked, everything was confirmed. Everything was further confirmed by someone working for the venue.

We arrived yesterday, only to find out the venue had been booked for a private comedy show. No record of our booking, despite multiple proof on our side. No food being served whatsoever, I don’t think they even have a functioning kitchen!

The manager Grant, wanted to appear helpful, he provided the group with a bottle of wine and Prosecco (with dirty glasses) whilst calling another venue within their chain (the lighthouse in shoreditch). Said we could go there, they had a table ready for us immediately and multiple times said drinks and food were “on the house” (now, I personally don’t expect that as there were 15 of us, why would this new venue do this?…..but hey he kept saying it so…) he needed us out by 8pm (our booking was at 7 and by now it was 7:45) because the show started at that time. Fast forwarded 3 taxis to shoreditch we arrive at the light house. Football is of course on, the manager said he won’t seat us until the footballs over after 9pm as they gotten rid of all the tables, the message that grant from the camden sent to this guy just said, sort them a table, no drinks no food, everything should be paid for by them. Personally no shock there on my part, but why lie over and over….. to get rid of us…

I won’t go into reviewing the light house on here but needless to say both places are dumps but most importantly, whatever is going on with the camden bar, they need to either sort it out or shut down because it’s a con of a business and grotty as hell.

Absolutely ruined what should have been a...